Optometry’s Joey Jones combines deep expertise with a can-do attitude

Information Systems Specialist Joey Jones is the go-to guy for computer issues in the School of Optometry.

“Although he is pulled in many directions by the rapidly changing needs of those he serves, he is never too busy to stop and address an acute issue,” said Joseph Fleming, O.D., associate professor of optometry. “I have called him at home on weekends and evenings, and he always answers and always helps me. He is a perfect combination of deep expertise and can-do attitude.”

Jones, who has been with UAB 12 years, was instrumental in the school’s conversion from paper to electronic health records. For his efforts, he has been named UAB Employee of the Month for May.

“He definitely is my go-to person in the department for any technical questions or issues that may arise,” said Caroline Pate, O.D., associate professor of optometry. “Without him our electronic medical records system would not operate smoothly, which is an area of our day-to-day operations that requires meticulous oversight.”

Jones is quick to point out that he does not do all of the work alone.

“It is an amazing feeling [to be recognized],” Jones said. “However, it is a team effort to keep things up and running 24/7; there is no way I could do it alone.

Each month, UAB recognizes an outstanding employee for their dedication, hard work and contributions to the university’s success. If you know of a great employee, you can learn how to nominate them for this recognition at uab.edu/humanresources.

“The CADRe department has to be the best place I have ever worked,” Jones said. “I can contribute that to the director of our department Brian Rosenow. Everyone here is as dedicated as I am to getting the job done — whatever the cost.”

Many of Jones’s co-workers said he is cheerful and efficient. Jones said it’s easy to be cheerful when helping people.

“It is very fulfilling when I can hear the relief and gratitude in a person’s voice when I have saved them from a crisis by fixing a problem,” Jones said.

Jones spends his personal time riding his Harley-Davidson, flying as an instrument-rated private pilot and spending time with his wife Teresa and daughter Tori.

“I do my best to live life to the fullest and not to sweat the small stuff,” Jones said. “I have a wonderful family, good health and great friends. I feel blessed.”

UAB’s meteoric rise in a few decades is attributed to its identity as a collaborative academic research institution, and those who work with Ryan Outman say he is “the essence of this UAB spirit” and more than worthy of being UAB's Employee of the Month.

Tammy Than, O.D., professor of optometry, was recently named the American Optometric Association's Educator of the Year. She will be recognized at the 2015 meeting June 24. It speaks volumes that she has won the American Optometric Student Association Teaching Award six times.

James McClintock, Ph.D., endowed professor of polar and marine biology, received the Odessa Woolfolk Community Service Award for using his lifetime of work in Antarctica to educate students and the public about the value and excitement of pursuing science on the remote continent.